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Dirk · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:05 pm Post subject: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Recently seen this combination in a photo dated 1942.

Photo shows a 37mm AT Gun and a M1917 Browning MG in front.

Any idea as to the stability of this weapons system ?

I take it that due to the poor ballistic performance this system was not employed in combat operations.

Also I take it that the Stuart was a better armoured platform for the 37mm gun Smile

What exactly is the difference between the US 37mm AT Gun and the German 3.7cm PaK 35/36 ? Design changes to ease mass production perhaps or to suit U.S. manufacturing processes ?

IIRC the U.S purchased several 37mm AT guns from Rheinmetall and developed the U.S. version.

Thanks in Advance

Dirk

David_Reasoner · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Could you be referring to the M6 Gun Motor Carriage? This mounted a 37mm antitank gun on the rear of a Dodge 3/4 ton weapons carrier chassis. It saw limited action with U.S. tank destroyer units in Tunisia 1942-43. It's limitations were quickly realized and it was withdrawn from service, some of the guns being reinstalled on M2 halftrack scout cars.

Couldn't find a photo of the real thing handy, so here is a model:

www.1-48.com/gas50806m.htm

David

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Not so fast....it was tried, but apparently didn't work out: Laughing

From a good source on afv stuff, BTW...

mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/...dguns.html

"These photos show repeated tests attempting to place a high velocity 37mm anti tank gun onto a light vehicle. The Jeep's thin metal was found unacceptable and so the heavier Dodge .5 and GMC .75 ton 4x4 vehicle were tested with some success."

mike_Duplessis · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 236

The U.S. anti-tank gun, compared to the German, was stripped to the bone. Off the top of my head it was pretty nearly half the weight! no fancy heavy angled gun shield, etc. I know the Stuart gun used a shorter bottle-shaped round. I rather suspect this was the same round used in the U.S. AT gun as well.

37mm guns is an entire subgenre tobe explored. There's the wimpy prewar Swedish gun, the classic Rheinmetall gun, the Russian gun based on the Rheinmetall design, the Japanese gun based on the Rheinmetall design, the more powerful Czech tank gun, and the U.S. design. One <unnamed> computer wargame gives the U.S. 37mm gun the edge penetration-wise, and it gives it a wider range of useful ammo types.

David_Reasoner · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Thanks, Doug! I hadn't seen that particular critter before. One wonders how stable it would have been firing to the side. It looks like the front wheels are almost completely clear of the ground!

David

P.S. Your Google-fu must be very strong indeed, master!

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

- David_Reasoner

Thanks, Doug! I hadn't seen that particular critter before. One wonders how stable it would have been firing to the side. It looks like the front wheels are almost completely clear of the ground!

David

P.S. Your Google-fu must be very strong indeed, master!

David,
That's a great site I've followed for some time..he has excellent references for foreign and lesser-known armor powers pre-war...and very good for S. America. It was my "Brasilian connection" that first brought it to my attention, but it's definitely bookmarked as a favorite!
I need to email that webmaster and get him involved over here, if he isn't already under a 'codename'....

Dirk · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:54 am Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Sorry for taking so long in replying.

Was a bit occupied and thus had no time to check in on AFV News.

Thanks all for taking time out and answering my questions - it's greatly appreciated.

Regards

Dirk

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:51 am Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

- David_Reasoner

Thanks, Doug! I hadn't seen that particular critter before. One wonders how stable it would have been firing to the side. It looks like the front wheels are almost completely clear of the ground!

David

Hi Folks!

Front wheels off the ground?

Could that possible be the father or possible grand father of the world's best and greatest AR/AAV which could get the first two and something third sets of road wheels off the ground? Wink

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

Dontos · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:01 am Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

Come on Roy.... this isn't in the Sheridan lineage,... Razz

This is the Great,Great,Great, Great Grand Father of the Ontos!!! Rolling Eyes

TANK DESTROYERS!! Mr. Green

clausb · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Posts: 146

- mike_Duplessis

The U.S. anti-tank gun, compared to the German, was stripped to the bone. Off the top of my head it was pretty nearly half the weight! no fancy heavy angled gun shield, etc. I know the Stuart gun used a shorter bottle-shaped round. I rather suspect this was the same round used in the U.S. AT gun as well. .

The two guns weighed nearly the same.

3.7cm PaK: 432 kg
37mm M3A1: 414 kg

The US one did use a bottle-shaped cartridge though.

- mike_Duplessis

37mm guns is an entire subgenre tobe explored. There's the wimpy prewar Swedish gun, the classic Rheinmetall gun, the Russian gun based on the Rheinmetall design, the Japanese gun based on the Rheinmetall design, the more powerful Czech tank gun, and the U.S. design.

What is the "wimpy Swedish gun"? The 37mm Bofors design? IIRC this design was also used by the Poles and the Danes (the 37mm Madsen M1935). It seem to have aquitted itself well in Polish service?

Claus B

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: 37mm AT Gun on Jeep

- Dontos

Come on Roy.... this isn't in the Sheridan lineage,...

This is the Great,Great,Great, Great Grand Father of the Ontos!!!

TANK DESTROYERS!!

Hi Dontos! Hi Folks!

Got me with that one Don. I was thinking along the lines of lifting wheels of the ground. But I must admit that both are "TANK DESTORYERS".

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

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